Electrolytic cell



A. A. JAHYNKE ELEcTRoLYTIo CELL April 5,1927. 1 1,623,246

Filed Aug. 20. 1925 IIINI'IIIIRIIII 1v|||| |1|l |l||1 1,1, 3; l 2 I' llg1 l! kil T A TTG/ PNE Ys Patented Apr. s,A 1921.

UNITED STATES l ALBERT a. JAHNxE, or san FuNc-Iseo, camonnra.

nLnc'rnoLY'rIc CELL. i

Application tiled August 20, 1925. Serial No. 51,479.

This invention relates to an electrol tic cell and especially to that type employe to decompose slightly acid and like solutions by electrolysis to liberate oxygen and hydrogen gases.

In the manufacture of oxygen and h drogen gas for commercial use, steel llas s are usually employed for storage, transportation land distributing purposes. The flasks are charged at the factories with gas to an approximate pressure of 2000 pounds, and multi-stage high pressure compressors are employed for this purpose. The flasks employed can usually withstand pressures of 10,000 pounds or more, but the difficulties encountered in the factories, such as leakage, losses in the compressors and otherwise generalwear and tear, etc., render charging of the flasks to pressures beyond 2000 pounds commercially impractical and unprotable.

The object of the present invention is to provide an electrolytic cell ofthe decomposition type, particularly designed for generating hydrogen and oxygen gas; to

provide means for separating thegases when generated; to lpermit accumulation and gradual pressure building of the gases and thereby eliminate the use of compressors or the like when charging the flasks, this being possible in the present instance as the flasks may be charged directly from the electrolytic cells or accumulating tanks with which they are connected. v ically stated embodies a container or cell within which the solution, preferably H2O, to which is added a small amount of acid or the like, is placed. The cell mentioned embodies a pair of cylindrical shaped anode electrodes and an intermediate'I cathode electrode. The anodes and the cathode are suitably connected to a source of current supply and serve the usual function of directing the energy through the solution.

' The cell further embodies means for separating and trapping the gases and permits the gradual building up 'of pressures to 10,000 pounds or more if desired, means being also provided for maintaining a uniform pressure between the separated gases which will hereinafter be described.

One form which my invention may assume is exemplified in the following description and illustrated` in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a longitudinal, vertical section The invention more specif` through the cell, showing the general construction and arrangement of parts contained therein.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the cell showing the several pipe fittings removed.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on line 3 3,

eferring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to Fig. 1, A indlcates a cylindrical bottle or casing, in this instance construced of cast-iron, steel or the like. This casing is preferabl cylindrical in cross section, as shown in igs. 2 and 3, and permits the insertion of a cover plate 2. The upper end of the easing is open for the reception of this cover and inturned flanges are provided, as at 3, which form a seat for the cover, the cover being held in place by means of screws 4 and a gasket is interposed between the cover and the seat as at 5 to produce a tight joint. The lower end of the casing is provided with a bottom 6, and supported thereby is an anode electrode 7. This anode is centrally disposed with relation to the exterior casing and is electrically connected thereto; It is tubular in sha as shown and is perforated at the top an bottom to permit a free circulation of the electrolyte, and also free escape of the gases generated. These gases are collected in a bell shaped member 8 supported by the upper end of the tube and are conveyed from this collector by means of a tube 9 to an exterior collecting chamber generally indicated at B, from where it is discharged through a valve 10 and a pipe 11 to a receiving tank not here shown. The cylindrical casing A, together with the tube 7 forms the anodes of the cell, and the tube indicated `at 12 forms the cathode. `The tube 12 may be constructed of any suitable material and it is interposed between the anodes A and 7. It is supported by an insulating member 13 and it 1s surrounded b a pair of porous diaphragms, as indicate at 14 and 15, said diaphragms being constructed of porous material, such as asbestos cloth, or the like. Centrally disposed in the cover member 2,

and secured thereto, is a plug 16. The lower end of this plug terminates in a bell shaped member 17,1n which the hydrogen gas generated is collected, the interior collectl chamber formed being indicated at C. The porf ous dia hra I 14 is secured to the lower end of t e bell and to the insulating member 13, while the porous diaphragm 15 is secured to the member 8 and the insulating member 13. The electrodes indicated at A, 7 and 12, are connected in the usual 'manner and the lelectrolyte or liquid forms a conductor between the same. The current employed maybe supplied from any suitable source, one wire of the circuit being connected with the easing A, as at 18, while the other wire or leg of the circuit is connected with the cathode, as at 19, the wire passing through the casing A being insulated therefrom as at 20. A series of pet cocks is employed as indicated at 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25, the pet cocks 21 and 22 being mounted on the upper end of the plug 16 and are provided for the pur ose ot determining the water level wit in the bell or hydrogen collecting member 17. rl`hey are for this reason connected with tubes'26 and 27, of different lengths. The pet cocks 23, 24 and 25 are connected with-the casing A and as they are disposed at different levels, opening or closing one or more of the cocks will determine the water level therein. rlhe hydrogen generated and collected in the chamber C is discharged through a passage 28 formed in the plug 16 and a pipe 29, this pipe being connected with a storage reservoir not shown.

lin actual practice ordinary Water, to which a small amount of acid has been added, is employed. This water is delivered to the cell through a pipe 30, and this pipe also carries a gauge 31, whereby the pressure of the gases map be visibly indicated. Means are also em Voyed for maintaining a uniform pressure between the two gases and this is accomplished by means of the valves 10 and 32 and floats 33 and 34 connected therewith. The valves control the' escape et gases through the pipes 11 and 29 and as they are actuated by the hoats 33 and 34, uniform ressure is automatically maintained.' This is accomplished in the following mannner:

When electric current is applied and passes through the electrolyte, hydrogen bubbles will form on the surface of the cathode and will travel `in an upward direction and accumulate in the chamber C. Oxygen gas bubbles will similarly form on the surfaces of the anodes and these bubbles will rise and collect'in the chamber B that is the gas accumulating in the member 8 is ley-passed through pipe 9 and escapes from this pipe into the chamber B. lf the pressure in the chamber B becomes greater than the ressure of the hydrogen' in the chamber the Water within the` chamber will rise and lift the oat and thereby close the valve 32. The hydrogen gas will thus accumulate and the pressure will gradually increase luntil t e pressures inl the chambers C and Bequalize. If the pressure of the `hydrogen increases, the water in the chamber B 'will rise and valve 10 will-close. A uniform pressure is, in this manner, maintained Vat all times and any pressure desired may be produced as this' sired. Compressors of'this character consume considerable power and the are 'subject to general wear and tear ue to the difficulty of lubricating the same when oxygen and hydrogen gases are handled. Leakage losses therefore become considerable when pressures above 2000 pounds are attempted and it is for this reason that this pressure is not exceeded when the asks or steel bottles are charged as the cost of production becomes prohibitive. In the present instance leakage losses are practically eliminated, compressors may be entirely discarded, and pressures u pounds or more maybe rea ily produced if desired. The cost of manufacture is, in this manner, materially decreased and the storage capacity ot the steel bottles or 'tlasks may be doubled or trebled due to the possibility of economically charging the same with gas under higher pressures.

` For the purpose of readily separating the gases in the cell, downwardl projecting annular flanges, such as in icated at 40, are formed both.y on the anode and cathode surfaces. These flanges are perorated at their upper ends, as indicated at 41, and thereby permit the gases generated to escape and travel in au upward direction. ianges form gas traps which collect the rising bubbles and thereby prevent diffusion of the same and mixing of the gases. The surface of all metal parts employed, which do not serve as electrodes,.may be enamelled or otherwise insulated, and deterioration 'or decomposition of lsuch parts is thus prevented.

The cell here shown is exceedingly simple and substantial in construction. Leakage is prevent-ed as increase in pressure Within the collecting chambers B and C merely serves to force the cover 2 into better contact. with-its seat and packing gasket. The cover is in reality elliptical in shape and secured in a manner similar to the man-hole cover ofa .boiler and as y such may be readily removed when the inin other words the annular of the casing A may "be yincreased or decreased as desired, practically any pressure can be taken care of.

While certain features of the present invention are more or less specifically illustrated, I ,wish it understood that various changes in form and proportion may be resorted to within the scope ofthe ap ended claims, similarly that the materias and finish of the several parts em loyed may be such as the experience an judgment of the manufacturer'may dictate or various uses may demand.

By referring to Fig. 1 it will be noted that the tloat members 83 and 34 are hollow and lthat each one is provided with an open ended tube as indicated at 50. These tubes are provided for thepurpose of admitting gas under pressure and for automatically discharging any liquid which might enter the floats and interfere with their operation. It should beremembered that 'the gas pressure in the chambers B and C sometimes approaches 10,000` ounds and that if there should be a slight ealr in one oat or another, the liquid would have a tendency to enter the floats and interfere with their operation. Gas'would, of course, also enter through the open tubes 'and such gas would collect above the. liquid which may have entered. The moment the gas pressure drops a slight amount in the chambers B and C, liquid which 4has previously entered the floats will be automatically discharged through the tubes 50 as the gas pressure within the floats will tend to equalize itself or assume the same pressure as the gas iii the chambers B and (l. Any liquids which might accidentally enter or accumulate by leakage are thus aiitomatically discharged from time to time and perfect operation of the floats can be depended upon. l4`iirtherniore by permitting accumulation of gases within the floats under the same pressure which is maintained in the chambers B and C will cause equalization of pressures exterior and interior of the floats and will thus further tend to prevent leakage or accuinulation'of liquid within the floats.

` Having thus described my invention, what y I claim and desire to secure by Letters to receive oxygen gas liberated by the cathode, said chambers permitting accumulation and gradual pressure building of the gases, and means located interiorly of the said housing for maintaining a uniform gas pressure in the respective chambers.

3. An electrolytic cell comprising a housing, anode and cathode electrodes in said housing, a pair of gas collecting chambers formed in the housing and arranged one within the other one to receive hydrogen gas liberated by the anode, and the other to receive oxygen gas liberated by the cathode, Said chambers permitting accumulation-and gradual pressure building of the frases, means for subincrging the electrodes in an electrolyte, and means located interiorly of the housing actuated bythe level of said electrolyte :for maintainingn uniform pressure in the 'gas chambers.

4. An electrolytic cell comprising a housing, anode and cathode electrodes in said housing, a pair of gas collecting chambers formed in the housing and arranged one within the other. one to receive hydrogen gas liberated by the anode, and the other to receive ox 7gen gas liberated by the cathode, said cham ers permitting accumulation and gradual pressure building of the gases, a discharge valve permitting escape of gas from each chamber, means for'inaintaining the electrodes submerged in an electrolyte, and floats actuated by the level of the electrolyte for opening and closing the valves and for maintaining a uniform pressure in the respective gas chambers.

5. An clectrolytic cell comprising a housing, anode and cathode electrodes in'said housing, a pair of gas collectingchambers formed in the housing and arranged one within the other, one to receive hydrogen gas liberated by the anode, and the other to rcceive oxy en gas liberated by the cathode, said cham ers permitting accumulation and gradual pressure building of the gases, a discharge passage communicating with cach gas chamber, means for introducing an elecllt) trolytc, and float actuated means regulating the esca e of gas from the respective chambers an uniform pressure in the respective chambers.

6. An electrolytic cell coinprisinvr a substantially cylindrical casing, said*J casing forming an anode and serving as a receptacle for an electrolyte. a bottom section in the casing. a centrally disposed tubular anode sup oi'ted thereby and in electric cirfor automatically maintaining a cuit with t e bottom and thecasing, a cylini drical shaped cathode interposed between the an0des,a pair of gas collecting chambers disposed above the cathode and anode electrodes and adapted to receive and collect the gases liber-atei. by the respective electrodes, and means for maintaining a uniform pressure in the respective gas chambers.

7. An electrol'tic cell comprisin a silbstantially cylin rical casing, sai casing forming an anode and servingas a rece tacle for an electrolyte a bottom section in the casing, a centrally disposed tubular anode supported thereby and in electric circuit with the bottom and the casing, a cylindrical shaped cathode interposed between the anodes, a pair of gas collecting chambers disposed above-the cathode and anode electrodes and adapted to receive and collect the gases liberated by the respective electrodes,

Sil

means for maintaining a uniform ressure in the respective gas chambers, an means for directing the gases from one set of electrodes to one chamber, and for directing the gases liberated by the cathode to the other chamber.

8. An electrolytic cell comprising a substantiallyv cylindrical casing, said casin forming an anode and serving as a receptac e for an electrolyte, a bottom section in the casing, a centrally disposed tubular anode supported thereby and in electric circuit with the bottom and the casing, a cylindrical shaped cathode interposed between the anodes. a pair of gas collecting chambers disposed above the cathode and -anode electrodes and adapted to receive and collect the gases liberated by the respective electrodes, means for maintaining a uniform pressure iu the respective as chambers, and annular downwardly pro]ecting flanges formed on the cathode and anode electrodes, said flanges being perforated at their upper ends and adapted to trap and direct the gases from the electrodes to their respective gas collecting chambers. l

9. ln an electrolytic cell ofthe character described a cylindrical, elongated cell forniing an anode and simultaneously an exterior casing for the electrolytic cell, a bottom section in said casing, a cover for the upper end of the casing, a bell secured to the cover and projecting downwardly into the casing, said hell forming one gas collecting chamber and the upper portion of the casing forming a second gas collecting chamber, a. discharge passage formed in communication with the lastV named gas collecting chamber, a oat actuated valve controlling the escape of gas therethrough, a gas dischargin passage communicating with the bell. a oat actuating valve regulating the escape of gas therethrough, a cathode electrode, cylindrical in cross section, disposed belo'w the. bell, a porous diaphragm interposed between tlie cathode and the anode, means for directing the gases liberated by the cathode into the chamber formed within the bell, and means for directing the gases liberated by the anode upwardly into the chamber formedl in the upper end of the casing.

10., En an electrolytic cell of the character described a cylindrical elongated cell forining an anode and simultaneously an exterior casing for the electrolytic cell, a bottom bell,` a porous diaphragm interposed be tween the cathode and the anode, means for directing the gases libe-rated by the cathode into the chamber formed within the bell, means for directing the gases liberated by the anode upwardly into the chamber formed in the upper end of the casing, a. tubular shaped anode centrally disposed within the cathode, a porous diaphragm interposed between said anode and the cathode, n bell disposed above said anode to collect the gases generated thereby, and means for transferring the gas from said bell to the collecting chamber formed in the upper end of the casing.

1l. An electrolytic cell comprising a housing, a pair of gas collecting chambers formed within the housing, one to receive oxygen gas and the other to receive hydrogen gas, anode and cathode electrodes in the housing and discharge valves located within and permitting the discharge of gas from the said chambers, said valves being provided with hollow iloats having means `for maintaining a uniform pressure interiorly.

and extei'iorly of the floats and for automatically expelling liquid accumulating within the floats. i 12. An electrolytic cell comprising a housing, a pair of gas collecting chambers formed within the housing, one to receive oxygen gas and the other to receive hydrogen gas, anode and cathode electrodes in the housing and discharge valves located within and permitting the discharge of gas from the said chambers, said Valves heilig provided with hollow floats liaving means for maintaining a uniform pressure interiorly and exterioi'ly of the floats and for causing gas under pressure within the floats to automatically expel liquid accumulating within the same. l

13. An electiolytic cell comprising a housing, a pair of gas collecting chambers formed within the housing, one to receive oxygen gas and the other to receive hydrogen gas, anode and cathode electrodes in the housing, and discharge valves located within and ermitting the discharge of gas from the said chambers, said valves 'being provided with hollow floats having tubes extendinginto the Heats and having their upper ends located abo-ve the liquid level and their lower ends arranged in spaced relation with the bottom oi the floats to maintain a uniform ressure interiorly and exteriorly of the oats and to cause the gas within the floats tovexpel liquid therefrom automatically.

14. An electrolytic cell comprising a housing, a pair of gas collecting chambers formed within the housing, one to receive oxygengas and the other to receive hydrogen gas, anode and cathode electrodes in the housing, and discharge valves located within and permitting the discharge of gas from v the said chambers, said valves being provided with hollow floats having tubes extending through the tops of the floats and terminating short of the bottom thereof to maintain uniforml pressure interiorly vand exteriorl of the floats and to cause the gas within t e-loats to expel liquid therefrom automatically.

vALBERT A. JAHNKE. 

